Are the Bunnies cooked for 2012?

 
Curtis Woodward Roar Guru
 

By , 11 Sep 2012 Curtis Woodward is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger

Tagged:
 , , , ,

    30 Have your say

    Are the Bunnies cooked for 2012? + enlarge image

    Greg Inglis in action during the NRL round 7 New Zealand Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Wayne Drought

    Related coverage

    Sports Highlights

    Watch more sports news video


    The South Sydney Rabbitohs were taught a rugby league lesson by the Melbourne Storm on Saturday in the first weekend of the 2012 NRL Finals. The question is, has the massive South Sydney bubble finally burst?

    After what seems an eternity, the Rabbitohs headed to the playoffs as a top four team and a real contender for the Telstra Premiership.

    It has been over twenty years since the Bunnies were a threat to the title, so you can’t blame the media for jumping all over the bandwagon.

    But is this side really a chance of being there on grand final day at ANZ Stadium?

    ‘The Pride of the League’ have had a fantastic season. They’ve won games of football, unearthed some young superstars and even found a career coach in Michael Maguire.

    What more could you ask for?

    Unfortunately for Souths’ fans, there are plenty of holes in this story.

    Rookie of the Year Adam Reynolds and John Sutton have impressed many with their new combination this year. But when you break down their decision-making, you can see why Billy Slater and company had such a field day at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

    When it comes to attacking kicks and fifth play options, Reynolds and Sutton are at the bottom of the class. There is simply no creativity.

    Their record against the premier sides in the competition is pitiful too with Souths not beating a top eight side since round nine.

    The Rabbitohs don’t have or deserve the respect of the top sides.

    “We’ll get a lot out of that game [against Melbourne], and we have to make sure we take that into next week,” coach Maguire told The Telegraph.

    “The boys understand what they did. We’ve got a chance next week of regrouping and going back to things that we’ve been doing throughout the year.

    “It’s been a big journey for us, a learning experience, and we got taught a few lessons. We’ll be a better team for it.”

    Will they?

    The Rabbitohs now face the Canberra Raiders in sudden death footy on Saturday night. Canberra are on a roll and impressively disposed of the Sharks on Sunday afternoon.

    Momentum is everything in the finals, and right now, it is with the Raiders.

    Sport, all day long. Does this sound too good to be true? We're searching for a Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. If you're a sales star who doesn't mind a hit, kick, throw, or cycle, we want to hear from you. Apply now.